ARLINGTON HEIGHTS (WBBM Newsradio) -- Leaders in Chicago's northwest suburbs say they're worried the Chicago Bears' talk about moving to Indiana is more than just talk.
So they called on state lawmakers Friday to approve a measure the team says it needs to build a stadium at the old Arlington Park property it purchased in 2022.
"This is about keeping the Bears in Illinois," said Mayor Jim Tinaglia during an appearance with dozens of local leaders at Arlington Heights Village Hall Friday morning. "We can't fumble this opportunity."
The village wants lawmakers to approve something called a mega-projects bill. It would give developers of large-scale projects such as a football stadium the ability to negotiate long-term property tax agreements with local governments and school districts.
"Without it, the property tax bill could be $100 to $200 million," said Tinaglia, comparing it with the $8.8 million annual property tax bill for SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. And he and others say they believe the Bears and team CEO Kevin Warren ae serious when they say they're seriously considering overtures from Hoosier leaders to move the team to northwest Indiana.
"I take Indiana very seriously, and everyone should," said Tinaglia, noting that he and village leaders have been working for four years on finalizing a deal for a new stadium for the Bears.
Arlington Heights state Senate Democrat Mark Walker, who's one of the sponsors of the mega-projects bill, echoed that sentiment: "When (CEO Warren) says 'this is not a lever, this is a legitimate consideration of economic opportunities for this company,' we take him at his word."
It's not clear whether the Chicago delegation in Springfield would support anything to make it easier for the team to leave Soldier Field. During a bill-signing ceremony on Chicago's South side Friday, Governor J.B. Pritzker told reporters that his office has been in constant talks with the Bears.
"We've been really clear about what we've been willing to do as a state," said the governor, noting that he believes Illinois is the best place for the Bears. "I do not think the fans want the Chicago Bears to be based anywhere else but in the state of Illinois."